adventures in family, faith, and Down syndrome

5 years

When I first met John, he was stumbling into our 8:30 AM introductory Education class, decked out in his wrinkly pajamas, looking like he hadn’t bathed in a week.

It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but he was certainly intriguing.

We were friends for a long time. I liked him because wherever we went, whatever we did, we had fun. He liked me because I bought him breakfast when he was low on cafeteria points.

As our friendship grew into forever, our friends joked that they couldn’t believe that it had taken us so long. And when he proposed, on one knee in front of 300 students and faculty at the prom that we were chaperoning, there was not a doubt in my mind that this is right.

We had one argument in the wedding planning process. I wanted a nice car to transport us to our reception. Mindful of budget, he suggested a bus. I’ll let you in on a little secret here: while 99% of the time, John likes to let me be the boss (something I appreciate tremendously), when he puts his foot down, I listen (no one in my family will believe this). We got the bus.

We vowed to love God first, then each other. We laugh every day. We argue. We pinch pennies. We complain about each other. We bond over America’s Got Talent and the amazing Jon Stewart. We have grown our family in the desire to love every minute of our life and we do.

It has been a wild, crazy, beautiful, wonderful, roller coaster ride. I’m so thankful that, through it all, he is my constant. We are not who we were when we said our vows five years ago. Praise the Lord for that. Stronger, closer, fiercely in love with each other, with our family, with our life. Whatever comes our way, we walk together.

Happy anniversary, Jefe. There is no one better for the celebrations, no one better for the trenches, than you. What a beautiful life we have been given to lead together!!!! (Did I get enough exclamation points in there for you? Maybe I could add a couple more?!!!?) I love you more than the sun and the stars. Thanks for sticking with me. Love, Mags

5 responses to “5 years”

Happy Anniversary you two! Maggie. This is a beautiful tribute to who John & Maggie are. From the first time you called home and said, “Mom! There’s this guy in my class…” I hoped I knew that he was “the one.” I have loved you since before you were born. I Thank God daily for bringing John into y(our) life. I am thrilled for the parents you have become.
And. I can’t wait to spend another one of your anniversaries in the car together!